Less than two weeks after being sworn in as the Ashanti Regional Minister by the President, Dr. Frank Amoakohene is warming himself into the hearts of many in the region.
The Minister, who is seen as one of the youngest Ministers appointed under the current administration, has hit the ground running with series of strategic engagements aimed at accelerating the development of the region. The stakeholder engagements also seek to find solutions to the teething problems negatively impacting the lives of people in the region, a development which is earning him applause for a good job done so far.
Among the initial steps taken by the Regional Minister to address challenges in the region is the commissioning of a team to review the management of the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC). The team has also been tasked to develop a comprehensive plan for the redevelopment of the Presidential and Regional Minister’s Residences, which have deteriorated over the years.
Dr. Amoakohene has also put together a team at the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly to tackle unapproved charges by commercial drivers in the metropolis, especially during rush hours when people are in dire need of transportation back home. This follows a growing concern about how these drivers are fleecing the public with exorbitant fares by deliberately charging passengers two or three times on the same route.
The newly appointed Regional Minister has also instructed all Coordinators of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to submit detailed reports on all stalled government projects within their jurisdictions. His swift intervention on speculations that market tolls had been increased from GHC 2.00 to GHC 5.00 has restored calm in markets across the metropolis.
Even more heartwarming is his directive for illegal miners to evacuate all their equipment from forest reserves within two weeks or face the wrath of the law enforcement agencies. At an engagement with the media on Thursday, Dr. Amoakohene issued a stern warning to illegal miners found in forest reserves that they would ruthlessly be dealt with after the two-week ultimatum. He told the media that President John Dramani Mahama was committed to protecting forests reserves and water bodies from activities of illegal miners and that he would not allow the menace to continue under his watch.
He also announced plans to work closely with other Regional Ministers in the fight against mining in river bodies to ensure sustainable restoration of rivers to their natural state. With these initiatives spearheaded by the Regional Minister in the last two weeks, he seems to be enjoying the goodwill of the people in the local media. Most callers into radio programmes have been praising him for showing signs of a leader determined to work in the interest of the people but are quick to advise him to continue that trajectory to justify the confidence reposed in him by the President.
Source: GNA
